Published Jun 30, 2007
law3576
74 Posts
Hello
I currently live in St. Louis and have one year of nursing school finished. I recently decided to apply for PCT jobs. The hospitals have many listings available for these positions so I figured I would get a call back rather shortly. I applied over a week ago and have yet to have a resopnse.
Does anyone have any suggestions? Should I call human resources? What should I say? I know that human resources is extremely busy and these are large hospitals and I don't want to bother the employees there.
Anyone know of hospitals that are hiring student nurses or techs in the area? I would appreciate any help. I really would like to get a job and gain some experience. I am also on my summer break until mid-august so I have plenty of time now to complete any orientations and pick up extra shifts.
Thanks!
BeccaznRN, RN
758 Posts
Keep trying. It took Barnes-Jewish forever and a day to contact me and schedule an interview. I ended up applying for every single PCT and SNT job I saw for about two or three weeks straight. I figured that eventually they would get sick of seeing my name and just call me.
I know that Barnes is ALWAYS hiring for PCT and SNT (student nurse technician), especially in med/surg areas. As far as the other hospitals, you may want to check their websites or give them a call. If you do decide to call HR at any of the hospitals, ask to speak to the nurse recruiter. You may have better luck doing it that way since you already have a year of nursing school completed - they may take extra steps to get you in a PCT job with the hope that you will stick around once you get the RN title.
Best of luck to you!
MoNursetoBe
9 Posts
I worked as a PCT for two years at a local hospital... When I first applied it took about 3 weeks before I got a call back! But like the poster above said, call HR and ask to speak with the nurse recruiter, this will get you where you want to go. Make sure they know you have finished a year of nursing school... at the hospital I worked at you had to take a month long class (5 days a week, for four weeks) to become a PCA, and then another month long class to become a PCT... but, if you were a nursing student, they held "test out" days for PCA/PCT skills and you just had to prove you knew what you were doing! So, I would say call HR, don't worry about bothering them, that is their job! Good luck!
AnnieOaklyRN, BSN, RN, EMT-P
2,587 Posts
Hi,
I would give them at least 2 weeks to call you, and if they do not call you within that time frame I would call them. Show them your really interested. Also when you apply are you providing a Cover letter and a Resume? Two very imporant items.
Swtooth EMT-P, RN
Sillynicunurse
164 Posts
I worked as a PCT/SNT at a couple of the St. Louis area hospitals and it took about 3-5 weeks after filling out applications to get a call from them. I think they just move a little slow. Good luck to you!
Thanks for all the suggestions. I'm actually leaving today for a week so when I get back here I'm going to call the hospitals and see from there. I guess I'm just anxious to start working.
TrudyRN
1,343 Posts
Any luck yet?
I was hired on at Barnes 2 weeks ago for a student nurse tech position. I went today for my pre-employment health screening and now am on board! I had to call the recruitment office and put my name out there though. It is a pain to get hired. You have to be very agressive!
WDWpixieRN, RN
2,237 Posts
Congratulations!! I was going to suggest, as others did, that you call them directly. I know the SSM hospitals have a TON of tech positions open, but oftentimes, online apps seem to take awhile to get through. I never did hear from any that I submitted over two years ago, but was recently hired through an internship I did locally. (I didn't follow up back then; I was working full-time, and then once school started, I just kind of let it go...).
I think the best route for anyone looking for a position is to contact the nurse recruiters in hospitals. They can forward you to the proper contact person if they are unable to assist you and they're usually VERY enthusiastic about nursing students -- looking ahead to the future!!
Grneyedmnstr
4 Posts
Call HR at Barnes and ask for Cheryl D'Harlingue, she is the PCT recruiter here and we are always hiring.